Growing up in a Christian household, the sounds of G’s childhood is that of prayer and gospel music. His aunt Andrea sung in the church choir and the soulful hymns left a huge impact on the young Ghetts. His mother recalls him as a three year old jumping out of her arms and running to the stage at a religious camp meeting in front of 15,000 people. It was then she says that she knew he was destined to be performer. Ghetts had also developed a sense of rhythm from his father who surrounded himself with jazz music. Once the beat got into him G would beating out rhythms on the tables and the floor in his house until his mother was driven to the point where she had to get him a keyboard to satisfy his musical curiosity. It was on this that Ghetts first experimented with writing songs as he’d try putting verses together over the pre-set percussion demos.
And it was music that was set to be Ghett’s saviour as his restless nature caused problems for him during his education. Unable to concentrate in class, the Plaistow citizen continually found himself getting into trouble and as a result never really being able to settle at a school. “I couldn’t really concentrate at school,” Ghetts states about his academic unrest. “The only thing I could concentrate on was music, not even girls. It was the only thing I enjoyed.” This soon transferred to the streets and like many who grow up in areas forgotten by the government, Ghetts found himself turning to crime to pacify his inattentive mind. Naturally it was only a matter of time before Ghetts found himself living at Her Majesties Pleasure. At the age of 16 Ghetts was in and out of jail at a scarily frequent rate which made G realise that if things carried on the way they were then his whole life would be spent behind bars. It was then he sought refuge in the only thing he found peace in; music.
At the age of 14 Ghetts visited a day time rave in Leyton to see the Heartless Crew. The experience cemented his ambition to make it in the music world. “I had this thing in my chest,” G reveals about the defining moment. “I could feel my heart beating and I was drawn to the mic. I knew I wanted to do something like that!” At the same time as Ghett’s legal woes, a new sound was emerging from east London. Born out of Garage; Grime was taking over the pirate airwaves and artists such as Wiley, Dizzee Rascal and Kano were beginning to get heard across the capital. Close friends with the Nasty Crew’s Sharky Major, Ghetts began reciting some of his rhymes for the Newham favourite. Sharks soon let G know that he was ready to be heard and Ghetts began recording tracks and performing on radio and at clubs with the collective. The artist known as Ghetto was born.
With a street buzz steadily growing, Ghetts developed a relationship with fellow Nasty Crew member Kano who had just begun promotion for his major label debut ‘Home Sweet Home’. Featuring on two of the tracks from the disc, including the single ‘Typical Me’, Kane took G on the promotional merry go round for the album that included taking part in tours with Nas and The Streets, as well as opening up for Juelz Santana in New York and performing at the MOBO Awards. Around this same time Ghetts released his first mixtape ‘2000 & Life’; a disc which drew on his experiences of growing up on the streets of Plaistow and of being behind bars. Still heralded as an underground classic the disc was full of angry bravado and vicious rhymes that fuelled favourites such as ‘Simple Minded MC’s’ and the anthem ‘Skinny Sort’. The experience of going on tour with Kano however soon showed Ghetts a side of England that he’d never seen before and this resulted in a change of perspective for the young MC. “Going on tour and seeing the people who would turn up the shows and the reaction they would give us, I realised that my ignorant attitude wasn’t gonna get me anywhere,” Ghetts describes of his revelation. “As soon as I got rid of my attitude things started happening for me.” It was then that Ghetts began recording his second mixtape; ‘Ghetto Gospel’.
One negative by-product of touring with Kano had been that G had been labelled as Kane’s hypeman. Wanting to be recognised as an artist in his own right and whilst also dispelling myths that he could only make angry songs; ‘Ghetto Gospel’ was filled with tracks that discussed the pitfalls of living in a deprived area as well as dedicating tracks to his best friend and his mother. “She cried when I first played it for her,” Ghetts recalls of playing ‘Closest Thing To Heaven’ to his mum on Mother’s Day. The mixtape also included a track for which Ghetts would shoot his first video; ‘Top 3 Selected’. The radio favourite sat alongside songs with fellow members of The Movement; a collective of likeminded MCs that included Scorcher, Wretch 32 and Mercston with whom G had released a CD entitled ‘Tempo Specialists’.
Ghetts quickly followed this up with ‘Freedom Of Speech’; another disc of entirely original material which channelled the reckless attitude of ‘2000 & Life’ and combined it with the refined wordplay of ‘Ghetto Gospel’ to make for a truly epic listen. Combining cold, nihilistic moments with bursts of untamed energy, the disc addressed and resolved issues that had arisen between Ghetts and other artists in the scene who had attacked G whilst he moved away from confrontational music during ‘Ghetto Gospel’. Tracks such as ‘Mountain’ and ‘Who’s Got?’ soon reasserted Ghetts as an underground favourite as well as satisfying the new fans he’d acquired from ‘Ghetto Gospel’.
Composing himself as a complete artist, G signalled his growth by changing his performance name to Ghetts and begun work on his debut album which is due for release in 2009. “I’m ready to make the best album I can make,” G affirms of his mind state. “It’s a bit like the TV programme ‘Heroes’. I’m just finally learning how to use my powers.” The first single from the album – ‘Sing For Me’ is already a favourite and has been snapped up by record label All Around The World to come out in early in the new year. As a division of Universal and home to artists such as N-Dubs, the track is set to be Ghetts’ first chart hit and finally propel him into the mainstream – an accolade well deserved and long overdue. “I made this tune for the clubs,” he speaks on the single. “When I’m in there I feel like I wish that it was my tune that everyone was dancing to so that’s why I made that.” And now that he’s had his first taste of success is Ghetts likely to turn his back on the Grime scene that has bred him? “I do Grime!” he proudly boasts. “I love Grime and it’s in my roots. It has been from when I saw Heartless all them years ago. A lot of people ain’t comfortable with that but I’m telling you from now that I’m gonna be a Grime star!”
Hop Out
Ghetts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Change the plates and scrape off the serial
Limousine tint, man can't see me at all
Old school car thief, I could start cars when I had no key at all
How did I start that car? I don't know, it's a miracle
If you wanted a ringer back then you'd give Carlton, CJ or me a call
Where'd you get that car from?
CJ, Carlton, Reggie or Marlon
Can't keep the bra on, now I got a hard on
Golf GTI Mark 1
That's how long I've had cars from
MR2's and MX-5's, R-E-A-L better recognize
Hop in and hop out
Hop in and hop out
Hop in and hop out
Drop the top when it's hot out
Just hop in and hop out
Hop in and hop out
Hop in and hop out
Hop in and hop out
Drop the top when it's hot out
Just hop in and
Before man built up to grand theft
I was out here with the Stilsons and flat head
Slap on the wrist when man got nicked
We were still classed as children back then
Stratford, Plaistow and Ilford back then
We used to lick that Ford showroom like every other week
That's wheels from Dagenham
Cars are hills, man Jilled and Jacked them
I, I had whips all right through the winter
Summer 2000 I graduated from the Typhoon to Ninja
Then it was houses, bamboo sticks, I climb through the window
Man move swift at night, I can't linger
Man see the blue lights and do Sprinter
Young boys getting paper
Now everyone wants a cut but they didn't lift one finger
Hop in and hop out
(Look at the motherfucking wheels)
Hop in and hop out
Hop in and hop out
(Goddamn)
Drop the top when it's hot out
Just hop in and hop out
Hop in and hop out
Hop in and hop out
Hop in and hop out
Drop the top when it's hot out
Just hop in and
From when I was a teenager
Who can say that I ain't seen paper
Year nine, bare crime
Black box cars like that's not hard
Next day straight to the Manor Park key maker
I'm getting nine for the MX-5
And I got another
That I spit get played in cars that I lick
Dead him on sight, all black double R, get him on bike
R6, two riders
Yeah, I roll deep in the ringer
Fuck it
Got no keys for the Bimmer
Fuck
Niggas ain't done no drive-by shootings
Watch when I buy my new ting
Nothin' but
I remember when the bro Preston used to come link me in the leather jacket
Black one
The flathead in the pocket
Said he was feeling like Nicholas Cage in 'Gone in Sixty Seconds'
The next day I had school in the morning
Pulling up next to the teachers in converts and what not
Oh I was feeling myself, yeah
The lyrics to Ghetts' song "Hop Out" depict the artist's experience and prowess in the world of car theft and his love for fast cars. The first verse describes his expertise in starting cars without keys, highlighting his exceptional skills in stealing vehicles. He mentions his reputation as someone to call if you wanted a stolen car. Ghetts goes on to name-drop his associates, implying their involvement in the car theft business as well. The lyrics portray Ghetts as someone who has been involved in this lifestyle for a long time, with references to the various car models he has owned throughout the years.
In the second verse, Ghetts reflects on his past experiences in car theft, reminiscing about the places he used to target and the tools he would use. He recalls the thrill of getting away with the crimes and the excitement of upgrading to more powerful cars. Ghetts also mentions the changing dynamics of his surroundings, as it becomes clear that everyone wants a share of the success without putting in the work. The lyrics suggest a sense of nostalgia and pride in Ghetts' early exploits, as he looks back on his journey through the ranks of car theft and the impact it had on his life.
Overall, the song "Hop Out" delves into Ghetts' involvement in the world of car theft, highlighting his skills, experiences, and the nostalgia associated with that part of his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Switch up the vehicle
Change the car I'm using
Change the plates and scrape off the serial
Replace the license plates and remove any identifying marks
Limousine tint, man can't see me at all
The windows are heavily tinted, making it difficult for others to see me inside
Old school car thief, I could start cars when I had no key at all
I was skilled enough to start cars even without a key
How did I start that car? I don't know, it's a miracle
I don't understand how I managed to start the car, it seemed like a miracle
If you wanted a ringer back then you'd give Carlton, CJ or me a call
If you wanted a stolen car, you would contact Carlton, CJ, or me
Where'd you get that car from?
From whom did you obtain that car?
CJ, Carlton, Reggie or Marlon
These are the names of people who could provide stolen cars
Hot one riding shotgun
An attractive person is sitting in the front passenger seat
Can't keep the bra on, now I got a hard on
The person with me is removing their bra, causing me to become sexually aroused
Golf GTI Mark 1
I have been driving a Golf GTI Mark 1 model car
That's how long I've had cars from
I have been involved in the car scene for a considerable amount of time
MR2's and MX-5's, R-E-A-L better recognize
I have owned MR2's and MX-5's cars, and people should acknowledge my expertise
Before man built up to grand theft
Prior to engaging in serious car theft
I was out here with the Stilsons and flat head
I was using tools like Stilsons and flat head wrenches
Slap on the wrist when man got nicked
I would receive only a mild punishment when caught by the authorities
We were still classed as children back then
During that time, we were considered young and immature
Stratford, Plaistow and Ilford back then
Those were the locations where we were active
We used to lick that Ford showroom like every other week
We would frequently steal cars from the Ford showroom
That's wheels from Dagenham
The stolen cars were from Dagenham area
Cars are hills, man Jilled and Jacked them
Cars were our targets, and we would steal and take control of them
I, I had whips all right through the winter
I possessed cars that I used throughout the winter season
Summer 2000 I graduated from the Typhoon to Ninja
In the summer of 2000, I upgraded from a Typhoon to Ninja motorcycle
Then it was houses, bamboo sticks, I climb through the window
After cars, I moved on to breaking into houses using bamboo sticks to climb through windows
Man move swift at night, I can't linger
I am cautious and quick while operating during the night and can't stay in one place for long
Man see the blue lights and do Sprinter
Upon noticing police lights, I run as fast as I can
Young boys getting paper
Young individuals like me are making money
Now everyone wants a cut but they didn't lift one finger
Now everyone wants to share in the profits, even though they haven't done any work themselves
From when I was a teenager
Starting from my teenage years
Who can say that I ain't seen paper
No one can deny that I have made money
Year nine, bare crime
During my ninth year of school, I was involved in a lot of criminal activity
Black box cars like that's not hard
Acquiring black box cars was not a challenging task for me
Next day straight to the Manor Park key maker
The following day, I would visit the key maker in Manor Park
I'm getting nine for the MX-5
I received nine thousand units of currency in exchange for the MX-5 car
And I got another
In addition to that, I had another car
That I spit get played in cars that I lick
My music is played in cars that I have stolen
Dead him on sight, all black double R, get him on bike
I would attack and kill someone if I saw them, using a black double R motorcycle
R6, two riders
I would ride an R6 motorcycle with another person
Yeah, I roll deep in the ringer
I am always accompanied by a large group of people in stolen cars
Got no keys for the Bimmer
I don't have any keys for the BMW car
Niggas ain't done no drive-by shootings
Other individuals haven't actually done any drive-by shootings
Watch when I buy my new ting
Watch and observe when I purchase my new firearm
Nothin' but
Just nothing but
I remember when the bro Preston used to come link me in the leather jacket
I have memories of my friend Preston coming to meet me while wearing a leather jacket
Black one
Specifically, a black leather jacket
The flathead in the pocket
He carried a flathead wrench in his pocket
Said he was feeling like Nicholas Cage in 'Gone in Sixty Seconds'
He claimed to feel similar to Nicholas Cage's character in the movie 'Gone in Sixty Seconds'
The next day I had school in the morning
The following day, I had to attend school in the morning
Pulling up next to the teachers in converts and what not
I would arrive at school in vehicles like convertibles, impressing even the teachers
Oh I was feeling myself, yeah
I was confident and self-assured
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Justin Clarke Samuel, Rio Romaine Willis, Jaakan Pusey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheAlkebulanTrust
This ain't a music video this is a short film. Ghetts keeps raising the levels each and every time. 💪🏿👊🏿
@G3-2023
When he perfectly curated the album track list to tell you a story, then brings two audios in one visual, you know he’s not messing. The progression is insane and as a career long fan I can’t wait to see what’s next each and every time because it only gets better and better 🙌🏻 🐐
@mimithemusicblogger2068
still the album of the year
@ZeusHuncho
Real talk
@stayblessedbereal4488
Honestly, I'm torn between this album and Potters ting as my no.1
@westham540
Was until j Cole bought out the off season 😂 but ghetts is a national treasure
@HipHoplyricalanalysis
@@westham540 Bro, I share this opinion aswell. For me the offseason and This are almost as good as each other
@westham540
@@HipHoplyricalanalysis yea 2 complete different album vibes but 2 of the best albums released this yea so far
@garygoodchild1682
The only grime Mc who's got better over time and still consistently doing bits on another level.. ✌🏾❤
@nahumsolomon
The only!? I’m sorry he’s amazing, but there are many grime rappers that get better overtime and r extremely relevant